Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab Exec Timothy Collins to Head Walsh University

Timothy J. Collins, chief government relations officer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, has been named president of Walsh University.

Collins heads to Walsh, a Catholic university based in North Canton, Ohio, after holding a range of executive leadership positions at APL. He joined the Laboratory in 2005, leading the Precision Engagement Mission Area prior to becoming the Laboratory’s inaugural chief government relations officer in 2014. In that role he connects the Laboratory’s portfolio with senior officials in federal, state and local governments — primarily on APL’s role in contributing to the nation’s most critical national security and space priorities — and serves in a variety of leadership capacities within the local community.

Prior to APL, Collins served as a senior officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he commanded operational combat forces at the flight, squadron, group and wing levels. He has more than 4,100 flying hours, including over 260 combat hours as a command pilot in a variety of fighter, tanker, reconnaissance and command and control aircraft.

“Walsh University will benefit greatly from Tim’s keen strategic insight, as well as his experience and ability to work with leaders and decision-makers across academia, government and industry,” said APL Director Ralph Semmel. “We wish him the very best.”

Collins earned his doctorate from Benedictine University. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned master’s degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the National War College as well as an associate degree from Georgia Military College. He has been teaching in higher education since 1996, and currently chairs both the Technical Management and Engineering Management nonresidential graduate degree and certificate programs in the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering.